That doesn’t mean I don’t want to get across that Bay. And it doesn’t mean I won’t. But I’m NOT going to worry about how long it takes me to get across.

So for now the plan is to focus on marathon training, with a healthy dose of swimming thrown in. I’m trying to swim three times/week, with one of those swims at about 3,000 to 3,500 yds, potentially more if I start a master’s practice soon. Once I’ve passed Patriot’s Day, I’ll have about eight more weeks until the swim. That will be “cram for test” time.

At that stage in the game I will cut back on my running a bit and start adding in a fourth day of swimming. I’ll also build one day a week of swimming up to the 6,000- to 7,000-yd. range. (yikes)

Swimming is one area where I can check my competitive self at the door. It’s like yoga to me–it enhances my running and my life, but I don’t have to be the best in the biz at it to be happy.

And so–that’s my pathetic excuse for a plan! What do you think?

If you haven’t been by Jamoosh’s blog yet this week, do so. You’ll notice a conspicuous Baltimore Ravens logo on the right sidebar. Yep, he lost a bet with me and since his Texans went down, he’ll be proudly displaying the Ravens colors all week! Thank you, Jamoosh!

Comments

I have the same outlook. I swim to relax, and XT to stay healthy at my running. If I ever do the Bay Swim, and I can totally see myself doing that one, it will just be to get across. Enjoy the process.Mara @Big Happy Family recently posted..Mid-terms

You are a rockstar! If only swimming had that effect on me… I feel like I’m gong to drown and I get all panicky in water!! Teach me your ways! I seriously think you’ve got it down. The plan sounds great Christina @ the athletarian recently posted..Guilt-free deliciousness

Are wetsuits allowed for the Bay swim? If so, just do the minimum swim training and float on in – just like most of IM people do (-:

Is that water brackish? If so, have they ever had sharks in there? That would just make for a better story after the race, “Yeah, I swam 4.4mi in shark infested waters…”Jeff Irvin recently posted..Olympic Trials & Houston Marathon

I am totally impressed by your plan. I would steal it from you if not for the fact that at the moment (and that will be a looong moment) I do not have any swimming adventures planned, unless some virtual friend talks me into some (don’t you get any crazy ideas here). Ewa recently posted..Playing a tag game

reading you really, really makes me want to swim. I’ve heard it DOES do wonderful things for runners. I think your “plan” seems great. As long as you can complete the distance in the swim then who cares about your time and the marathon is MUCH more important!!!!Ali Mc recently posted..Big Thanks, Baked Potatoes and Birthday fun!

ha! That picture is great. The plan sounds good to me. I’m doing something similar with my tri training… half ironman in June. hmmm… LOL, I will crank it up after Boston!Marlene recently posted..Boston Training – Week 2

I have never caught the swimming bug, even though I know it would be better for me in order to relieve stress and strain of a running day. I just feel awkward and non-bouyant in the water and never get that satisfied feeling that I do after a run. So I admire the dual goal, and can see the zen result of a swim.

My first question is… Is your upper body morphing to look like the Hulk? When I up my swim distance (currently I swim almost 2000 2 x a week) I get to looking crazy strong. I wonder if it does the same to other people??

Congrats on the Ravens win!! Purple is still alive!

That’s a great pic! I wear a bicycle necklace and I’m almost not sure why as I feel like I live on the darn thing.Coy recently posted..The beat down

Im rebuilding my running base right now and will be starting training for a half scheduled in June and sept and a full in Nov. I want to start swimming to cross train, expecially once my mileage gets back up there. Right now Im spinning for cross training. Problem is I cant get the rotary breathing thing down. I constantly feel like Im out of breath. I hired a training and did 3 sessions but it wasnt a right fit and I didnt get any better. Any suggestions?
ChristinaChristina recently posted..weigh in – the good vs the bad

You’re my hero for swimming that much! I can hardly swim at all so just thinking about your training is daunting. You will do great because you always do and bravo to you for taking on both!Kate @ Run with Kate recently posted..So Many Emotions

I am loving the pic. It might go up there with the best google and swim cap pics of all time but for now Marlene takes the cake on that one. Oh wait, can you both bring your goggles and caps to Boston and take a picture together? Two of my favorite people in their swim gear would probably make me pee myself.

As for swim training……all you need is form. Form will make you faster. You will be fit from your marathon training and so won’t need a ton of work in the pool.Jason @ Cook Train Eat Race recently posted..Ironman Texas Training – Week #4 VLOG

I think your plan sounds awesome! You have your priorities and your training reflects that! I’m just so happy for you and your successes that I could burst!Jen recently posted..Hiking and Biking and Lessons Learned

That’s a great picture! And that’s how I feel about everything but running too. There are races, and there are adventures. Your swim will be the latter! Boston will be the former!Terzah recently posted..The Olympic Marathon Trials

My fast swim and my slow swim are the same speed so I think I may not be the best one to tell you I think the plan looks great! But I think it does. Getting across that bay will be amazing, just channel you inner Dori from Finding Nemo “just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”. Missy recently posted..Quick Granola

Makes sense to me. I’ve had a split personality between running and adventure racing for a few years, and finally just embraced the fact that I’ll always enjoy the running more than the biking. So, I try to find balance between the two and try not to be too hard on myself when I’m doing one more than the other.Abby @ Have Dental Floss, WIll Travel recently posted..Getting My Ski On

That sounds like a great plan!! Boston and 4.4… whew!! ROCK STAR And I thought I was the only one who posed for pictures in my cap and goggles outside of the pool!Victoria recently posted..Charleston Half Marathon Recap

Oh gosh I totally didn’t notice the Ravens – that is hilarious! Congrats to you even though I am still actually a little weepy after the Saints’ loss.Gracie recently posted..Louisiana Marathon: Race Recap

I have no doubt in my head you will pull it off flawlessly! You have enough stamina in you to finish the swim, without even practicing. I think we swim alike :).Jill recently posted..Let’s take a look into 2012

I agree – for me swimming is like yoga! It helps me stay in shape for running and helps me run better! I am sure you will do great with swimming and running!J recently posted..Whole Living Cleanse: Week 2

Lady, you’re crazy – in all the right ways!!! Woot!!
Wish I could get into swimming like that. Then again, I felt the same way about running a few years ago! Maybe there’s a swimmer in there, too … somewhere!Kathy Reed recently posted..A Fabulous Morning at The Olympic Trials

I’m so not into swimming, but I have 2 x IRONMAN to my name!!! Now believe me when I say it didn’t really swim much in training, for me ironman was as good at finished after I got out the water. So if you are going for a finish and not a time, you are swimming more than enough, you running with help with the fitness…Coach Dion recently posted..IF THERE IS A RACE RUN IT…

I think it’s FANTASTIC that you are doing both so close together! I totally think it’s doable to train for more than one type of race at a time. I am beginning (hope in the next 2 weeks) to train for my 1st IM in Aug while training to run a May marathon. Like you, I will use the biking and swimming as good cross-training / off / recovery days for the hard running I will be doing. And then once the marathon ends, it’s cram time! YIKES. And like you, my #1 goal is to finish. =)
You seem to have a good handle on fitting both in =)Michele @ nycrunningmama recently posted..Sparkly Soul Headbands Giveaway Winner!

Good for you! The Bay swim scares the crap out of me. A couple of tri teammates of mine are signed up and I think they’re out of their minds…in the same way they think I’m out of my mind for signing up fro JFK 50! Good luck with the training!Racingtales – Alison Gittelman recently posted..Men in Tights

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